Council for Mutual Economic Assistance and Socialist Integration : the case of Balkan countries

Abstract

The problem of socialist integration in the frame of COMECON is examined. In the beginning are analyzed on one hand the problems of integration, on theoretical point of view, and on the other the history of the foundation of COMECON. Following the evolution of the history of CMEA, it is used to be devided in discernible phases, according to changes in the political efforts to build up an integrated system. Namely, 1) 1949-1954 (Stalin’s period),
2) 1954-1956 (coordination of plans), 3) 1956-1962 (severe political events),
4) 1962-1970 (creation of formel instruments of integration), 5) 1971-1973
(The Comprehensive or Complex Program), 6) 1973-1976 (period of stagnation in the integration progress), 7) 1976-1980 (integration is achieved through joint individual productivities). A special chapter concerns the Balkan countries. The conclusion of this article is that the complete economic integration is still far off, although a certain progress is achieved, especially in the creation of some institutions helping this integration.